Words Matter - Chapter 4
Exercise 1

Directions:
Below are the ten words from Chapter 4.
Each of the ten words is accompanied by three sentences that use a form of the word.
Only one of these sentences uses the word correctly, the other two use it incorrectly.
Read all three sentences. Then click the button to the left of the sentence that uses the word correctly.

You may change your answers as you see fit. When you are satisfied that all answers are correct, click the "Submit" button at the end of the exercise. You cannot resubmit the exercise after that point.

If a word in a sentence is marked by *, the word is introduced in Words Matter.

Note: If you are using the Internet Explorer as browser, the exercise will only work for version 6 or higher.

All Well and Good

1.

benefactor

I do not need a benefactor because I don't need adviceI need cash.

The greatest benefactors of farm subsidies are not small farms, but big industrialized ones.

Colleges often name buildings after the benefactor whose gift made the construction of the building possible.

2.

benediction

Happy to unexpectedly see his wife, he gave her a quick benediction.

The benedictions of the weather bureau were wronginstead of the predicted rainfall, we had bright sunshine.

The Catholic mass ends with a benediction of the congregation by the priest.

3.

largess

The defendant was found guilty of grand largess and sentenced to twenty years in prison.

The Getty Museum in Los Angeles owes its existence to the late Paul Getty's largess.

The team played with too much largess and lost because of silly mistakes.

4.

succor

While I was in the hospital, my wife visited me every day and gave me the succor I needed to get well again.

The succor of his company depended not only on careful planning, but also on some lucky breaks.

After a tiring day, I like to sit down to a meal of succor with my family.

5.

probity

The committee concluded its probity into the recent outbreak of smallpox.

The press secretary assured the assembled journalists that the probity of the president's action was beyond doubt.

After some polite probities, the speaker got down to business and delivered a spirited defense of his colleagues.

6.

boon

The discovery of gold in the nearby mountains turned the city into a boon town.

The explosion produced a boon that could be heard for miles around.

The presence of so many start-up companies was a boon to the city.

7.

salutary

Study after study has shown that eating fresh fruits and vegetables is salutary for one's health.

In armies all over the world, soldiers salutary their superiors by raising their right hands to their caps.

Her whole argument is unconvincing because she did not present any salutary evidence.

8.

balm

Using one's head as a balm is illegal in many team sports because it could really hurt players.

In order to balm my nerves, I took a deep breath and told myself that I was all right.

Sunshine is a balm for many people, particularly if it comes after days of rain.